Queenstown is 100% the coolest town in New Zealand. No matter where you look, you will see beautiful scenery, with great restaurants and bars all along the waterfront and live entertainment at any time of the day.
Most people visiting Queenstown have limited time (usually only a few days), and with so much to choose from, you want to make the most out of each and every meal.
We decided to compile a list of the best restaurants in Queenstown so you don’t have to worry about what’s good (and what’s not so good). Of course, to do that we had to eat at a lot of restaurants – including every single place on this list, some more than once – so you know they’re all amazing!
Fine Dining Queenstown
1. Nest Kitchen & Bar at Kamana
The Best Restaurant With a View in Queenstown
Nest Kitchen & Bar at Kamana has the most unforgettable views of any restaurant we’ve ever visited. So much so, that we recommend timing your meal around sunset and popping outside for a few pics between courses.
But it’s also more than just a great view. The meals we’ve had here on multiple occasions were memorable to say the least – it’s clear the chefs know what they’re doing. And if you’re looking for vegan or vegetarian options, you’ll have less choices but you can trust that the ones on the menu will be delectable.
The drinks menu is also impressive, with an awesome range of delicious and interesting G&Ts, as well as a great selection of New Zealand wines.
The decor is beautiful and modern, with a cosy vibe in winter thanks to fireplaces hanging from the ceiling. Kamana is also a hotel and it’s definitely one of the best hotels in Queenstown.
Nest Kitchen & Bar is one of the best restaurants we’ve ever visited and we recommend it to all our friends.
2. Rata
The Best Food
Set up by NZ-famous chef, restaurateur and masterchef judge Josh Emett, you know the food at Rata is going to be good before you set foot in the door. Although no longer working here, the food hasn’t fallen back and is still at the high standards it always was.
The dinner menu here is colourful with a wide and eclectic range of the staples – duck breast, blue cod, scotch fillet and of course lamb shoulder.
Rata is a great option for an amazing meal that speaks to the flavours of New Zealand.
3. Botswana Butchery
A Fine Dining Staple
Botswana Butchery is renowned as the epitome of fine dining in Queenstown. The decor is beautiful and the atmosphere warm (nice on a cold day in Queenstown), with perfect service from the friendly staff.
As to be expected, the food was amazing. Meat is their specialty, but you really can’t go wrong ordering anything. We recommend starting with some Bluff Oysters, the lamb as a main and some duck fat potatoes as a side. And working your way through the Pinot Noir list if you’re into wine.
Prices are high, but we’re believers in treating yourself every once in a while – so make sure to head on down to celebrate something and enjoy one of the best culinary experiences in Queenstown. Botswana Butchery is definitely one of the best restaurants in Queenstown.
Mid-Range Queenstown Restaurants
4. Blue Kanu
We’d heard amazing reviews for Blue Kanu for years before we finally made it, and it turns out everything we had heard was true.
The restaurant has a Pacific / Asian fusion cuisine which makes it, in our opinion, one of the most unique restaurants in Queenstown and the only one of its kind we’ve heard of in New Zealand. The decor aligns nicely with the Pacific / Asian theme, which we can best describe as sultry and comfy.
From what we can tell, you can’t go wrong with any of the dishes on the Blue Kanu menu, however we would recommend their fresh seafood. Our top picks from the dinner menu are Fijian market fish kokoda, charcoal goat rendang and whole Rakiura tarakihi.
The table next to us ordered the ‘just feed me’ option for dinner and we watched them receive an endless stream of delicious dishes – we might try this next time!
Despite some pretty sub-par service (which they informed us was due to staff shortages), Blue Kanu will now be our go to place when we’re looking for a great Queenstown restaurant.
5. Paddy Gaddy
The Southeast Asian Fusion Restaurant
Man, we’ve been missing southeast Asia ever since we had to return at the start of Covid. So booking a table at Paddy Gaddy was an easy choice for us.
The cuisine here is a delicious southeast Asian fusion of flavours. Expect sweet, salty and sour flavours to dominate the dishes. We recommend ordering the lamb ribs for a main course, they’re incredible. As is the wine list and cocktail menu. They also have some good seafood on the menu to try out.
If you’re on a budget, it also pays to check out First Table where you might be able to grab 50% off your meal – but take a look a week ahead. If you’re planning your trip to New Zealand and you need access to the internet then make sure to check out this guide to the best tourist sim cards in New Zealand.
6. Joe’s Garage
The Best Brunch in Queenstown
A little harder to find, Joe’s Garage is tucked away down an alleyway in the heart of Queenstown’s busy city center. The vibe here is super laid back and chill with an American diner-esque design.
Similarly, the menu is simple and straightforward, with poached eggs not an option and sandwiches taking center stage. But don’t be mistaken, these are thick sandwiches and they’ll blow your mind, far more than a simple eggs benedict would.
Grab a roll (we recommend the Spicy Bratwurst), a coffee and share a plate of JFC. You won’t find a better brunch anywhere.
7. The Sherwood Cafe
The Workplace
We popped over here for one reason – parking. It’s always hard to find a park in town and sometimes you don’t want to walk 10-minutes in the rain, so we thought we’d try out the Sherwood Cafe as it’s located just outside of the city center.
Well, unfortunately their kitchen closes from 11-12 (we thought this was a bit stupid, but we were hangry) so we didn’t get a chance to try the food, but the coffee was awesome and came super quick. Plus the staff were way too nice!
The key thing about the Sherwood was how cosy we found it. With large wooden tables, rugs and blankets, a fire and just an overall log cabin vibe we loved hanging here. Definitely worth a visit on a chilly winter morning.
We’ve now been back a handful of times and have managed to have breakfast here and it was delicious. This Queenstown restaurant uses local produce alongside a seasonal menu to whip together some simple but awesome dishes.
8. The Bathhouse Cafe
A Historic Lakefront Cafe
This historical cafe opened in 1911 and can be easily recognised by its impressive architecture. The Bathhouse Cafe is a super cute, vintage cafe and bar located right on the waterfront of Lake Wakatipu.
When you walk in off the street the heat is turned up and there is a cosy vibe to the place. You look out the window and Lake Wakatipu is just a few steps away. Grab yourself a hot chocolate, a coffee or a Central Otago wine, and just watch the view.
If the weather’s warm enough, we love to sit outside by the water and we recommend you give it a shot too. They have a great brunch menu, as well as a cabinet filled with delicious treats.
If scenic views are what you are looking for while you eat, then this is the best Queenstown Restaurant for you.
9. Winnie’s Gourmet Pizza
The Best Italian Restaurant & Pizza in Queenstown
We walked past Winnie’s three times, and each time we looked at it and thought it was the cutest restaurant in Queenstown. There’s a cute little balcony that looks out over the street. We could only imagine sitting here and looking out at all the busy people walking below.
The atmosphere at Winnie’s is warm and friendly. The pizzas come in an unusual variety of flavours which gives a new twist on food which we’ve all had a million times – delicious pizza! Make sure you try the Tandoori chicken and the Moroccan lamb pizzas.
Despite the cute atmosphere here, our favourite thing to do is to take away and head down to the waterfront for a picnic.
Although Winnie’s didn’t quite make it into the Queenstown cheap eats, the price isn’t quite as bad as it looks. At $38.75 NZD, the large pizza will be enough for two to eat for dinner, possibly with a slice or two left over. Not bad for a Queenstown restaurant.
10. Yonder
The Best Coffee
Recently, Queenstown has become home to numerous amazing cafes. We tend to seek out the best ones, especially for a good cup of coffee and a great vibe.
Yonder has beautiful decor and is located right in the heart of town so it’s the perfect place to grab a quick coffee or sit down for a chat.
The cabinet food here is also great for a bite to eat.
11. Pedro’s House of Lamb & Pedro’s by the Lake
The Best Lamb in Queenstown
New Zealand’s renown for lamb appears to be somewhat linked to the fact that we have significantly more sheep than humans. Despite this, the lamb from Pedro’s truly is something special.
Call them up and place an order to be picked up.
What you’ll get is the best 100% locally sourced lamb, slow-cooked for hours with garlic and rosemary, and complemented with delicious roast potatoes.
This is our favourite place to get lamb in Queenstown, avoid the overly-tourist focussed restaurants along the waterfront and pick yours up from Pedro’s. You can always take it down to the waterfront and eat it picnic-style. It’s better than guiltily eating it in your hostel whilst everyone is watching.
Also, they’ve since opened a restaurant called Pedro’s by The Lake. We’ve finally had a chance to try it and its definitely deserving of a spot on this list of the best Queenstown Restaurants.
The restaurant itself is fairly average, but it’s located in a great spot next to the lake (in fact it’s now called Pedro’s by the Lake).
Don’t bother ordering the tapas. Skip straight to either the pulled lamb or the slow roast lamb shoulder. Their staples are lamb, minted peas and roast potatoes so stick to these and you’ll be impressed.
12. Toro Kitchen
Sadly, it looks like Toro Kitchen has since closed, but luckily Paddy Gaddy is now in its place.
We were drawn in by the modern design of the interior at Toro Kitchen, with their tables sprawling out into the street. It’s the perfect location to relax and people watch as the world goes by around you.
The food here is immaculate, with prices on the higher end around $30 NZD to $40 NZD. The service is lovely and friendly and the dinner menu is extensive.
If you are a budget-conscious traveller, check out the website First Table to get 50% off your food bill here for the first table of the night. For cheap drinks, also check out their happy hour for half-priced cocktails.
Queenstown Cheap Eats (< $15)
Although not all strictly restaurants, Queenstown has plenty of good food for cheap. Whether for lunch or dinner, you don’t need to visit fine dining to get a great meal.
13. Ferg Burger
Best Burgers in Queenstown
Over the past 20 years, Ferg Burger has grown from a backstreet burger shop to become the most popular restaurant in Queenstown. And for a good reason. Not only do they make possibly the best burgers in the world (at least certainly in New Zealand), but you can buy one for under $15 NZD!
This makes this Queenstown institution not only one of the cheapest places to eat in Queenstown, but also one of the biggest and most enjoyable meals you can find.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Classic Fergburger with cheese, but you should make an effort to try as many different burgers as you can during your stay in Queenstown. Trust us, when you get back home and reminisce of the burger you once had back in New Zealand, you will regret not eating another.
If you have heard of Ferg Burger, then it is likely you have also heard about the queues. They basically go for miles as hundreds of desperate tourists mill around the shop like a swarm of bees. So we wanted to offer the number one tip of this blog post:
Call ahead.
Seriously. Here’s their number: 03 441 1232.
Give them a ring – sometimes it’s hard to get through – and place your order over the phone. You’ll turn up 15 minutes later, bound past the queue, pay, and walk away with your burger in hand.
If you can wait a few minutes longer, make your way down to the waterfront and eat it on the grass. You’ll usually have live music from one of the buskers. Eating a Ferg Burger with a glass of Central Otago wine from one one of the wineries in Queenstown is amongst our favourite things to do in Queenstown.
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14. Ferg Baker
Best Queenstown Bakery
I’m not sure if there is a day we’ve spent in Queenstown without going to Ferg Baker. It’s just that good. The pies are out of this world. I’ve eaten a lot of pies (most of them a lot cheaper to be fair), and Ferg Baker’s pork belly pie wins every time.
Our favourite way to start the day is to stop by Ferg Baker, grab a pie, a coffee (they have great baristas too) and a delicious pizza bread to snack on for morning tea, before heading out on a hike or hitting the Queenstown ski fields.
The best part about Ferg Baker is that there is rarely a queue. It doesn’t appear to have the popularity of Ferg Burger, plus the food here isn’t made to order, so you can usually pop in and out in a few minutes.
15. Taco Medic
Hands Down Best Tacos in Queenstown
Living in New Zealand, we’ve struggled to find a good taco – even in Auckland. So we were surprised to find the best tacos of our life here in Queenstown. And to make it even better, the owner told us they’re opening a restaurant in Auckland!
All of the tacos on the menu are good and don’t forget to slather on their delectible, housemade chilli sauces. 1-2 are a great snack or light meal under $15 (they are $7 each), or grab 3-4 for a filling meal.
16. Patagonia Chocolate
Best Gelato in Queenstown
It has always baffled us how gelato is such a big deal in Queenstown. Even in the middle of summer you wouldn’t exactly call the weather in Queenstown tropical. Despite this, everyone flocks to the numerous gelato stores (there’s even a cart) to get their gelato fix.
We are no exception – irrespective of the temperature, gelato is yum and we’re going to try all the flavours. Each place was great in their own ways, but Patagonia Chocolate was our favourite.
You can’t go wrong as all the flavours here are great, but our favourites are vanilla & cookies and tramontana. But you may as well just ask to try a few, then keep trying until you’ve tried all the flavours you were interested in. That’s what we did!
Don’t forget to try their hot chocolate. Definitely the best in Queenstown.
17. Empanada Kitchen
Sadly, it looks like Empanada Kitchen is now closed
The Empanada Kitchen sells beautifully rolled empanadas out of what appears to be a well-branded cleaning closet attached to the public bathrooms. The menu changes daily serving a different filling encased in a delicious, buttery casing.
These little pockets of joy are $5.50 NZD, making them the perfect street food treat for a stroll around Lake Wakatipu. Sadly, they close their doors quite early, so don’t plan for a late night snack.
18. Hikari Sushi
Best Queenstown Sushi
Hikari Sushi Bar serves up great sushi. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but that’s what you get when no one else opens another sushi bar in Queenstown.
Regardless, it sneaks in under $15 NZD (as long as you aren’t starving), and you definitely get some fantastic sushi with fresh seafood in generous portion sizes. It’s worth checking out when you’re craving something healthier for lunch, perhaps on day five of your trip after eating Ferg burgers every other day.
Also, check out their Japanese restaurant in Queenstown for a great Japanese dine-in experience.
19. Cookie Time Cookie Bar
Best Happy Hour
The warm cookies here are amazing. But at full price, it’s a bit of a tourist trap. Luckily, the Cookie Time Cookie Bar runs the best happy hour in Queenstown:
8 am to 9 am – $1 NZD coffees & hot chocolates
6 pm to 7 pm – Buy one get one free hot cookies
In fact, they run two happy hours. And surprisingly, the coffee actually wasn’t too bad. For $1 NZD, it’s well worth it to get your day started.
The two-for-one hot cookies are where it’s at. This is why Cookie Time has earned a spot as one of the best places to eat in Queenstown. Make your way down and make sure to grab yourself eight cookies (for the price of four!).
20. The Bakery
The Cheapest Queenstown Baker
For a long time, Ferg Baker across the road has been our favourite bakery. One day we pulled up in a park next to The Bakery and thought we should take a look. We ended up walking out with two pies and an almond croissant – for the same price as two pies at Ferg Baker. So it was a bit cheaper.
All-in-all, the pies were fantastic and the almond croissant was delicious. It’s just a pity that Ferg Baker is across the road, as the pies at Ferg Baker are the best pies we’ve ever eaten. And we eat a lot of pies.
Although not a restaurant, the Bakery is definitely worth checking out, and you’ll be able to save a few dollars over Ferg Baker.
21. Little Blackwood
Best Bar in Queenstown
Although not really known for their food, Little Blackwood has the best cocktails we’ve found in Queenstown. The Japanese Garden is an incredible deal during happy hour at just $12, plus they have a massive cocktail menu including numerous takes on the espresso martini.
Beyond just cocktails they have an extensive beer and wine menu, not a bad spot to chill with a Central Otago wine.
And if you are after some food, then Little Blackwood is catered by a nearby kitchen so we have no doubt their food goes above and beyond what you’d find at your typical bar to complement their great drinks.
22. Four Square
The Cheapest Meal in Queenstown
When you truly are a budget traveller, possibly living in a dorm room (or a tent), spending $10-15 NZD on each meal is going to add up fast.
That’s why we wanted to include the cheapest place to buy a meal in Queenstown: Four Square. Head in here and grab some rolls, lettuce and ham, and you have lunch and dinner sussed for just $5 NZD.
But if you feel like a hot lunch on a cold Queenstown day, then make your way to the deli section where you can buy hot pies, cooked chicken, bacon, lasagna toppers, sandwiches and more. Often these are discounted significantly and you can pick up a cooked meal for just $3 NZD.
23. Caribe Latin Kitchen
Best Latin Cuisine
We would like to preface this by saying that we did not have a pleasant experience here. The service we received from the owner wasn’t great seeing as she incorrectly accused us of not paying.
We showed our bank statements which proved we paid, and despite the poor service, the food we received was absolutely scrumptious. We’re confident recommending it and we’re sure we’ll be heading back at some point in the future. It’s definitely one of the best Queenstown restaurants, it was just disappointing the service was so poor.
This place gets super busy, so head in early and pick up a burrito or a quesadilla for an affordable $13.50 NZD.
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